Preview | Lincoln City (a)

Ricardo Santos was rested as a precautionary measure on Saturday after picking up a deadleg in training the day before.

John Akinde (hamstring), Jamie Stephens (knee) and Curtis Weston (knee) are all recovering from their injuries. Dave Tarpey (knee), Elliott Johnson (knee) and Richard Brindley (foot) are all still on the sidelines with their long-term injuries.

Last Time We Met:

The last time the two sides met was back 2015, which saw Lincoln overcome top of the table side Barnet 4-1 in a comfortable win.

Goals from Ben Tomlinson (who would go on to join Barnet the following season) and Alan Power gave The Imps a 2-0 lead at the break.

The lead was then four, strikes from Jon Nolan and Conner Robinson put the game out of sight before an 86th-minute consolation goal from Luke Gambin finally gave the travelling Bees fans something to cheer for.

Manager:

Brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley were unveiled as the Club's new management team on Friday 13 May 2016 having led Braintree Town to a third-placed finish in the Vanarama National League only to miss out on a place in the Promotion Final at Wembley Stadium after losing to Grimsby Town in the semi-finals.

A former player with Romford and Hornchurch, Danny cut his managerial teeth alongside Danny Scopes at Concord Rangers in 2007, leading the Essex outfit to the Essex Senior League title and promotion to the Ryman League Division 1 North plus a place in the last eight of the FA Vase.

Having lost to Waltham Abbey on penalties in the play-offs the following season, a second promotion was ensured in 2010 when Concord defeated Enfield 3-1 in the end-of-season showdown. Concord consolidated in the Ryman Premier League for the next two years and at the end of the 2011/12 season, Danny Scopes stepped down leaving Danny Cowley in sole charge.

Concord's rapid rise under Danny's tutelage continued with another play-off success and promotion to Conference South in 2013. An Essex Senior Cup win also came Concord's way in 2013/14 and the following season they retained the trophy, reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history and pulled off a stunning 6-2 win at Football League bound Barnet in the FA Trophy.

Danny departed Concord for Braintree Town at the end of the 2014/15 season, as did his younger brother and assistant manager Nicky, who made 268 appearances for Concord as a player, the majority as club captain, before making the switch to a coaching role.

The Cowley brothers continued their impressive record at Braintree, leading the part-timers to a superb top three finish making them amongst the most sought-after young management team in the game.

Both Danny and Nicky joined Lincoln on a full-time basis having previously combined their football management with jobs as Physical Education teachers at Fitzwimarc School in Rayleigh.

Their first season in charge of the Imps was nothing short of remarkable as they led the Club to the Vanarama National League title and the last four of The FA Trophy plus a historic FA Cup run which came to an end at the Quarter Final stage.

Dangerman:

Versatile midfielder Michael Bostwick became one of the best players in League Two after signing for Lincoln City from Peterborough United in the summer of 2017.

With over 300 appearances for Stevenage and Peterborough, Bostwick has experience at every level of the Football League, playing 39 games in the Championship for The Posh in the 2012/13 season.

Able to play both central midfield and as a central defender, this gives the 29-year-old a lot more freedom. He’s not afraid to go forward either, contributing 56 goals and assists at his previous clubs.

With this chapter in his career just beginning, Bostwick is certainly one who will be hoping to make a difference in Tuesday nights game.

Connections:

On loan at Barnet from Swansea last season, goalkeeper Josh Vickers made 26 appearances during his season at The Hive London. In the summer of 2017, he signed for Lincoln City, making his debut in the Carabao Cup against Rotherham in August.

Last Time Out:

10-man Lincoln City suffered a heavy 4-1 away defeat at Notts County in their last fixture.

Lincoln seems to be in control of the game, however, Billy Knott received a red card in the 28th minute which certainly changed the way the game seemed to be going.

They only went into the break 1-0 down though, the strike by Jon Stead giving The Magpies the cushion they would’ve wanted.

The second half started off well for The Imps, Harry Anderson equalising just two minutes after the break.

Although the inevitable happened, three unanswered goals from Matt Tootle, Jorge Grant and Terry Hawkridge game the Nottingham side a comfortable win.